2001 Ford Escape XLS from North America - Comments

13th Feb 2004, 06:38

It's probably easy to ask why people buy CRVs and RAV4s when you've only driven the Ford 1200 miles. Talk to somebody with 80K miles on the Escape. Or ask somebody how much they got for one in trade. I wish you well with yours, but you did have to ask "why."

29th Apr 2004, 06:43

I will also admit that the Escape is a nice looking SUV and a good performer, but the newer model CR-V's will perform just as well. If you have ever owned a Ford past 60k miles you will begin to realize that they have troublesome front end problems and notorious brake problems. I like the Escape very much, but would never purchase one after owning my last ford.

25th Jun 2004, 05:57

Hi, Jeff from Australia here. Have owned an Escape since they arrived in Oz in 2001, and except for regular service, have had no complaints to date. It has got 50,000km on clock, and has never missed a beat.

29th Jun 2004, 01:39

I looked at all the offerings in this class, and definitely feel pleased I went with the Ford Escape in the end.

The RAV4 is nice and agile, but is let down by small 4 cylinder power, and it also is not very generous in the back for space.

I like the smooth performance of the CR-V, but the CR-V is having chassis problems that are being addressed with a new body for 2005. Either way, the CR-V returns good gas mileage and will come with a higher residual value when it comes time to sell.

That said, the Escape 2.3 flat 4 outperforms the CR-V, and the 3.0 V6 totally out-muscles it, delivering that V6 growl rather than the 4 cylinder whine when pushed.

Also the CR-V in my opinion is not really in the same class cabin wise as the Escape, because the CR-V's cabin is tacky to say the least.

30th Oct 2005, 21:32

I own a 2001 Escape bought new in 2000. Currently with 60,000 miles. no major problems not taken care of by the dealer. The RAV4 and the CR-V do not compare to the Escape in any way. My neighbor and friend owns a RAV4 and I laugh at it's lack of power all the time. Also I just took my Escape off-roading today and completely covered it in mud and I could go places that my Cherokee and Ranger driving friends could not get to. Also I am a Mercedes-Benz technician and while the interior is not quite as nice as some of the cars I work on I still enjoy my car more than some of the M-B's. Great visibility and more than just a functional mode of transportation.

31st Oct 2005, 21:40

31st May 2007, 21:32

Ford Escape... better looking car... but if you check the trade in value or the depreciation... you can tell that the Rav4 and CRV are still worth something... by the way I drive a 2001 Escape, and I think that will be my last FORD.